The '''Michigan International Bridge Initiative''' is on the [[Michigan 2012 ballot measures|November 6, 2012]] statewide ballot in [[Michigan]] as an {{icafull}}. If enacted this measure would require voters to approve any new bridge or tunnel from Michigan to Canada. The measure was proposed by the Detroit International Bridge Co. and is being sponsored by a committee called The People Should Decide.<ref>[http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012204210360 ''Detroit Free Press'' "Ambassador owners plan to take bridge battle to November ballot," April 21, 2012]</ref><ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/Bal_Prop_Status_2011_2_346859_7.pdf Michigan Secretary of State, statewide ballot proposal status, retrieved May 4, 2012]</ref>

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The '''Michigan International Bridge Initiative''' was on the [[Michigan 2012 ballot measures|November 6, 2012]] statewide ballot in [[Michigan]] as an {{icafull}}, where it was '''defeated'''. If enacted this measure would have required voters to approve any new bridge or tunnel from Michigan to Canada. The measure was proposed by the Detroit International Bridge Co. and is being sponsored by a committee called The People Should Decide.<ref>[http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012204210360 ''Detroit Free Press'', "Ambassador owners plan to take bridge battle to November ballot," April 21, 2012]</ref><ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/Bal_Prop_Status_2011_2_346859_7.pdf Michigan Secretary of State, statewide ballot proposal status, retrieved May 4, 2012]</ref>

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==Election results==

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:: ''See also: [[2012 ballot measure election results]]''

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{{Short outcome

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| title = Michigan Proposal 6

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| yes = 1,853,127

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| yespct = 41

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| no = 2,699,558

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| nopct = 59

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| image = {{Defeated}}

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| unresolved =

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}}

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[[Category:Defeated, general, 2012]]

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:''Official results from the [http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/12GEN/90000006.html Michigan Secretary of State].''

==Text of measure==

==Text of measure==

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The official ballot text reads as follows:<ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/The_People_Should_Decide_396198_7.pdf ''Michigan Secretary of State'',"Proposal 6," retrieved September 10, 2012]</ref>

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The official ballot text read as follows:<ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/The_People_Should_Decide_396198_7.pdf ''Michigan Secretary of State'',"Proposal 6," accessed September 10, 2012]</ref>

<blockquote><b>PROPOSAL 12-1<br/>

<blockquote><b>PROPOSAL 12-1<br/>

Line 29:

Line 44:

==Background==

==Background==

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The Detroit International Bridge Co. filed the measure in response to a proposed project aimed at constructing a new international bridge increasing the number of lanes connecting Detroit to Windsor in Canada. The project, called the New International Trade Crossing (NITC), would compete for traffic with the Detroit International Bridge Co.'s current bridge, the Ambassador Bridge.<ref name="methods">[http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120522/OPINION03/205220337/Methods-bridge-suspect?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s ''Detroit News'' "Moroun continues campaign of lies in bridge ballot initiative," May 22, 2012]</ref>

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The Detroit International Bridge Co. filed the measure in response to a proposed project aimed at constructing a new international bridge increasing the number of lanes connecting Detroit to Windsor in Canada. The project, called the New International Trade Crossing (NITC), would compete for traffic with the Detroit International Bridge Co.'s current bridge, the Ambassador Bridge.<ref name="methods">[http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120522/OPINION03/205220337/Methods-bridge-suspect?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s ''Detroit News'', "Moroun continues campaign of lies in bridge ballot initiative," May 22, 2012]</ref>

==Support==

==Support==

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The Detroit International Bridge Co. has released a number of ads either supporting the amendment or targeting the New International Trade Crossing. However, the group Michigan Truth Squad, part of the bipartisan Center for Michigan, has rated all the ads "Flagrant Foul," questioning the truthfulness of their contents.<ref name="methods"/>

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The Detroit International Bridge Co. released a number of ads either supporting the amendment or targeting the New International Trade Crossing. However, the group Michigan Truth Squad, part of the bipartisan Center for Michigan, rated all the ads "Flagrant Foul," questioning the truthfulness of their contents.<ref name="methods"/>

===Arguments===

===Arguments===

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* Founder of Washington, D.C.-based Americans for Tax Reform, Grover Norquist, has voiced his support for the measure arguing that the government should not get "into the business of building bridges." Norquist says federal funds will be used to construct a U.S. customs plaza for the bridge, something he says, "is not free."<ref>[http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/10/anti-tax_advocate_grover_norqu.html ''MLive.com'' "Anti-tax advocate Grover Norquist endorses bridge ballot measure," October 4, 2012]</ref>

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* Founder of Washington, D.C.-based Americans for Tax Reform, Grover Norquist, voiced his support for the measure arguing that the government should not get "into the business of building bridges." Norquist says federal funds will be used to construct a U.S. customs plaza for the bridge, something he says, "is not free."<ref>[http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/10/anti-tax_advocate_grover_norqu.html ''MLive.com'', "Anti-tax advocate Grover Norquist endorses bridge ballot measure," October 4, 2012]</ref>

The Michigan International Bridge Initiative was on the November 6, 2012 statewide ballot in Michigan as an initiated constitutional amendment, where it was defeated. If enacted this measure would have required voters to approve any new bridge or tunnel from Michigan to Canada. The measure was proposed by the Detroit International Bridge Co. and is being sponsored by a committee called The People Should Decide.[1][2]

Text of measure

A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES AND TUNNELS

This proposal would:

Require the approval of a majority of voters at a statewide election and in each municipality where “new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles” are to be located before the State of Michigan may expend state funds or resources for acquiring land, designing, soliciting bids for, constructing, financing, or promoting new international bridges or tunnels.

Create a definition of "new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles" that means, "any bridge or tunnel which is not open to the public and serving traffic as of January 1, 2012."

Should this proposal be approved?YES __
NO ____

Background

The Detroit International Bridge Co. filed the measure in response to a proposed project aimed at constructing a new international bridge increasing the number of lanes connecting Detroit to Windsor in Canada. The project, called the New International Trade Crossing (NITC), would compete for traffic with the Detroit International Bridge Co.'s current bridge, the Ambassador Bridge.[4]

Support

The Detroit International Bridge Co. released a number of ads either supporting the amendment or targeting the New International Trade Crossing. However, the group Michigan Truth Squad, part of the bipartisan Center for Michigan, rated all the ads "Flagrant Foul," questioning the truthfulness of their contents.[4]

Arguments

Founder of Washington, D.C.-based Americans for Tax Reform, Grover Norquist, voiced his support for the measure arguing that the government should not get "into the business of building bridges." Norquist says federal funds will be used to construct a U.S. customs plaza for the bridge, something he says, "is not free."[5]

Campaign contributions

In Michigan campaign finance information related to ballot measures is organized by ballot question committees. The following data was obtained from the state Campaign Finance Committee:

Opposition

As a supporter of the new bridge which would compete with Detroit International Bridge Co., Governor Rick Snyder opposes this amendment which would seriously hamper plans on the new bridge if passed.[4]

Opponents

Arguments

In a press release published in September 2012, Gov. Snyder said, "While the proposal is intended to protect one company's monopoly on truck crossings between Detroit and Canada, it was sloppily written and jeopardizes ANY bridge under construction today that won't be completed by January 1, 2012, or any bridge built thereafter."[8]

Polls

An EPIC-MRA poll conducted on September 8-11, 2012, found that 47 percent were in support of the measure, while 44 percent were opposed, and another 9% were undecided. The poll was based on a poll of 600 likely voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.[9]

Legend

Position is ahead and at or over 50% Position is ahead or tied, but under 50%